Pico Design

2016 - 2022

Over the past few years, I have contributed to various VR and MR projects, helping Pico create a distinct design language. Based on simple, soft geometry and sets of principles for color, material, and finish selection, the Pico brand has gradually established its identity, earning recognition and appreciation from customers and business partners alike.

When I joined Pico in 2016, the company had just introduced its latest standalone VR headset, the Pico Neo DK. At that time, VR was still a relatively new industry. Still, the immersive experience had already begun to attract people by offering a more direct and interactive way to engage with digital content. The Pico Neo DK, while a simple design, had a somewhat toy-like and flashy appearance.

As a designer, I was driven to create products that seamlessly integrate into people's lives. While gamers were the initial target market for VR technology, it was essential to develop a more subtle, neutral, and approachable design to attract a broader audience and provide lasting value. By refining the design language, we could ensure that Pico's products become more appealing to a more comprehensive range of users in the long term.

early Days

Between 2016 and 2018, we introduced a diverse range of products, including cellphone-tethered VR, 3DoF VR, motion controllers, and tracking cameras. By incorporating simple geometry and soft materials, such as fabric and silicone, we redefined Pico's identity, creating products that are more approachable, user-friendly, and intuitive.

Pico Neo

It took us over a year to develop the Pico Neo, which eventually became the first 6DoF VR headset. The design consisted of two simple shapes - the main housing and the headband - connected by a metal accent. We incorporated a variety of soft materials on the headset, such as PU leather on the main housing and headband cushion, as well as soft silicone for the face gasket. Initially, the black front cover was designed to hide the tracking cameras, but it later became an iconic look for the entire Neo series.

As we continued to launch new products in the market, we established a set of design principles to ensure consistency in our design language across the diverse product range.

design principles

Simplicity: Embrace the cycle of refining from simple to complex, then back to simple. Design is an ongoing process aimed at enhancing the human experience.

Natural Interaction: Design should strive to elegantly integrate technology into people's lives, fostering natural and seamless interactions between humans and technology.

Soft and Pure Geometry: Product forms should be guided by simple geometry. For products that directly touch a person, softer shapes ensure comfort and facilitate natural interactions. Meanwhile, products with indirect interactions should feature pure geometric forms, conveying a sense of precision and high quality.

Color, Material, and Finish (CMF): Employ contrasting elements in CMF design, utilizing authentic materials whenever feasible. Textures should be subtle, with patterns grounded in geometric principles.

Pico design

early Days

Pico Neo

design principles

Pico 4

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